Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/26892
Equipment and Engines By Brad Murphy Choosing the best landscaping equipment starts with the engine A lthough many lawns and turf sur- faces may be fragile, the edger, seeder or trimmer being used to keep them manicured must be rugged and powerful in order to get the job done. And a valuable piece of equipment can depend on many factors. But to make sure the equipment you choose will perform at its best, it’s important to consider the power- house, the driving force behind the equip- ment — the engine. With so many makes and models of en- gines on the market these days, it’s difficult to know which one is best. The huge array of power equipment at rental centers and dealerships can be overwhelming, and the amount of engine choices for a particular piece of equipment is increasing more and more. But choosing an engine doesn’t have to be difficult — it basically comes down to knowing what features to look for. To ensure optimal performance, make sure to consider a few important engine criteria when selecting a piece of equipment. Design appeal Most landscaping equipment is available with one of two different engine designs — A cylinder with a cast-iron lining will wear much better than one constructed of a softer material such as aluminum — prolonging engine life. — All photos provided by Subaru pushrod overhead valve (OHV) or overhead camshaft (OHC). There are advantages and benefits to both styles, and each will lead a piece of equipment — such as an edger, pressure washer or lawn vac — to perform in a slightly different way. By offering an efficiently configured combustion chamber, pushrod OHV en- gines boast the ability to provide excep- tional power and performance in a small package. For the last 25 years, the pushrod OHV has been a functional and recognized de- sign in general-purpose air-cooled en- gines. But engineering, design and innovation didn’t stop at OHV configura- tions. Recently, a different style has been gaining popularity. On various pieces of outdoor power equipment, including lawn and landscape products, some manufacturers have begun to offer engines featuring OHC technol- ogy. This type of configuration places the camshaft within the cylinder head, above the combustion chamber, allowing the valves to be driven in a more direct man- ner compared to OHV designs. The place- ment also eliminates the need for pushrods, the driving force in OHV en- gines. Overall, the OHC engine is care- fully designed to run at an optimal level at all times — therefore, the equipment it’s powering will too. OHC engines start easier, are much quieter, and offer greater power output compared to other similar-class engines. They also lessen fuel consumption and re- duce emissions, which is crucial for meet- ing strict EPA regulations. Some OHC engines also incorporate a hemispherical combustion chamber. It’s specifically de- signed to achieve maximum combustion and allow the engine to utilize a higher compression ratio, which results in greater power and torque. 8 Landscape and Irrigation March 2011 www.landscapeirrigation.com